Agenda in Datça: Old Hospital, Emecik and Infrastructure Works

Datça Municipality provided information about ongoing works and current developments in the district at the press meeting. The meeting, arranged about 4 months after the last one held in February, took place at the Datça Municipal Council Meeting Hall.

The meeting was attended by Datça Deputy Mayor Mutlu Gündoğan, Municipal Council Member Yüksel Temel, Özgür Mutlu responsible for Cultural Affairs, and department heads. Regarding the long interval between meetings, it was noted that the municipality focused especially on works at the construction sites this year, which caused the delay of the press meeting.

The Old Hospital and Emecik Lands Are on the Agenda in Datça

One of the prominent topics of the meeting was the inclusion of the old hospital land located in İskele Neighborhood and the public lands spanning hundreds of thousands of square meters in Emecik within the privatization scope.

According to the evaluation by Datça Municipality, the district is one of Turkey's important regions thanks to its natural and cultural heritage, coastal ecosystems, and sustainable tourism potential. It was stated that the privatization process could restrict public use of the coastlines and increase pressure for construction on natural areas.

Last week, a forum organized on the old hospital land by the Muğla Medical Chamber, Muğla Bar Association, Chamber of Architects Datça Branch, Datça City Council, and Datça Democracy Platform was also attended by Datça Mayor Aytaç Kurt.

Mayor Kurt made the following statement:

“The inclusion of the hundreds of thousands of square meters of public land in Emecik and the old hospital area in İskele Neighborhood in the privatization scope is an important development that concerns us all closely. These lands are not just parcels visible on maps. These soils are the future of our children, the collective memory of our city, and an inseparable part of our nature and coasts.”

“We Will Protect the Lands We Live On”

Mayor Aytaç Kurt emphasized that Datça’s bays, beaches and public spaces should not be seen solely as economic assets and said that the public should have a voice in decisions about the district's future.

Kurt said, “Datça’s bays, beaches, natural areas and public values are not areas to be left to the use of a handful of people or seen only as economic values. These are the rights of not only those living today but also future generations. We see Datça not only as the place we live but as a common trust we are responsible for protecting.”

Kurt stated that every process concerning Datça's natural, historical and public values would be closely monitored and added, “This city belongs to all of us. Because Datça is not just a place we live on; it is the home of our memories, efforts, and future. We will protect the lands we live on. We do not want to be poor guardians of rich lands.”

Sewerage Problem Resolved in Çomarlık

Information about the solution to the long-standing sewerage problem in the Çomarlık area was also shared at the press meeting.

According to the works conducted by MUSKI General Directorate and Datça Municipality, a new sewerage line 4,000 meters long was constructed in the region. After the infrastructure work benefiting approximately 900 households was completed, officials met with citizens at the Public Council meeting.

MUSKI General Directorate Planning, Investment and Construction Department Head Cem Yaşar and Datça Deputy Mayor Mutlu Gündoğan informed the local residents about the current situation and superstructure works at the Çomarlık Neighborhood Assembly meeting.

Officials stated that following the infrastructure works and the planned 12,000 square meter paving production, the long-standing problem in Çomarlık would be completely resolved.

Road Works Continue Across Datça

Infrastructure and superstructure works continue throughout the district in cooperation with Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and Datça Municipality. It was stated that the works are nearing completion, and teams are active in Çevre Yolu Street and 94th Street in the city center.

Asphalt paving on Betçe road is also ongoing. The works were planned considering risk of disaster, water diversion needs, and the conditions of main arteries.

It was reported that at Çevre Yolu Street, ground excavation began at Halil Aşkın Street. After the infrastructure works carried out by AYDEM and the excavation works are completed, asphalt works will start on Çevre Yolu Street.

Datça Municipality Public Works Department teams continue repair works on sidewalks outside the asphalted roads.

168 Dogs Adopted in Datça

Veterinary Affairs Department works carried out by Datça Municipality were among the topics shared at the meeting.

It was announced that municipal teams have adopted 168 dogs to date, sterilized and rehabilitated 1,846 cats and dogs. Animals taken from requested locations across the city are sterilized, rehabilitated and released to their natural habitats accompanied by caretakers.

Also, the shelter project with a capacity for approximately 500 animals under the Datça Municipality is in its final stage.

Intensive Inspections by Police Teams in One Month

Datça Municipality Police Department teams carried out inspections between May 15 and June 15 to protect common living spaces, ensure that businesses comply with regulations, and create a more orderly city life.

Within this scope, 77 inspections were conducted related to tent and caravan stays outside of licensed camping areas. In inspections following notifications and complaints regarding the construction ban during the tourism season, 20 reports were prepared against businesses operating contrary to the ban.

As part of license inspections, 40 workplaces were checked. For 11 workplaces found to operate against the regulations, sealing procedures were applied and legal processes were initiated.

It was noted that 62 complaints received by the Police Department were evaluated, and administrative sanctions were applied regarding issues causing environmental, visual and noise pollution.

Datça Municipality to Conduct Noise Inspections

It was announced that Datça Municipality has been granted new authority regarding environmental noise inspections. Following the application process that started in July 2024, Datça Municipality was authorized in May 2026 by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change within the scope of the Environmental Law.

With this authority, training of Datça Municipality Police Department teams continues. In the coming days, notifications will be primarily made to businesses. Subsequently, inspections will be conducted against environmental noises originating from entertainment venues, businesses, and similar sources.

Culture, Art and Sports Events in Datça

It was also shared at the press meeting that Datça Municipality recently hosted many cultural, artistic, and sports events.

The traditional picnic held within the scope of the Week of the Disabled was organized again this year at Atatürk City Park. The event brought together special individuals and their families.

The year-end fashion show of the free sewing course held since September 29, 2025, at the Women's and Youth Center was organized in front of the Port Exhibition Hall. Sibel Öcal, who volunteered on stage, performed music for the audience during the show.

Within the scope of World Dance Day, a celebration program was organized at the Amphitheater in cooperation with Datça Municipality and Datça Dance Sports Club. The program featured performances by Datça Municipality World Dances Sirtaki Community, Datça Municipality Percussion Instruments Community, Don't Be My Handicap Association, Datça Dance Sports Club, City Council Folk Dance Team, Joyful Paws, Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Culture and Art Foundation Datça Cemevi, Kazım Yılmaz Primary School, and Datça Public Education Center.

Young Sailors Received Their Certificates

Children aged 7-14 trained at Datça Municipality Sailing and Surf School completed their optimist courses that started on November 1. Certified by the Turkish Sailing Federation, certificates were awarded to the young sailors by Datça Mayor Aytaç Kurt.

Championship Joy at Datça Belediyespor

Sports developments were also included in the meeting. The last leg of the Aegean Friendship Basketball Tournament, held since 2013 with the theme of peace and brotherhood, took place last month on Kos Island. Datça Belediyespor's girls' and boys' basketball teams played friendly matches against teams from Kos, Kalimnos and Denizli Metropolitan Municipality.

It was announced that the next stage of the tournament will be held in September hosted by Denizli Metropolitan Municipality.

Datça Belediyespor U-12 Girls Basketball Team became the Muğla Provincial Champion of the Turkish Basketball Federation. Young athletes coached by Murat Karslı and Mustafa Tabak lifted the championship cup leaving their rivals behind.

Kabotaj Day Will Be Celebrated with Events in Datça

It was reported that the July 1 Kabotaj Day will be traditionally celebrated in Datça. The program to be held at Datça Yacht Marina will feature rope pulling contests in different age categories, a plate retrieval race from the sea, and a flag capture race on an oily pole.

During the events, keşkek and watermelon will be served on a table set up by Datça Municipality at the marina, accompanied by a concert.

The Migration Symphony Will Be Performed in Datça

The work "Migration Symphony – Dark Waters," in which master musician Fuat Saka living in Datça addressed the phenomenon of "migration" in a universal language, will meet with art lovers in Datça in July.

The concert, organized by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and supported by Datça Municipality, will take place on July 4, 2026, at Datça Amphitheater. The Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Symphony Orchestra will also perform at the concert.

Datça Municipality stated that works continue in many areas in the district, from infrastructure to environmental inspections, from social services to cultural and artistic events, and that the activities carried out will continue to be shared with the public.

Reporter: Metin Karakoç